Disclaimer: Timeranger is not mine
Notes: Spoilers for up to Case 7

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For someone as blunt as Domon could be, he was very good at hiding.

He was at his best during the daytime, laying it on so think you'd never guess anything was wrong. But at some point he would have to sleep, the mask was lowered, and all the pain, fear, and loneliness he kept buried deep within his subconscious became impossible to ignore.

Sion frowned as he tried to get as comfortable as he could on a tiny couch with Domon on top of him. He was still new to all this, but he did know that watching your lover sleep was supposed to be romantic. When he watched Domon sleep, all he could do was worry. He also knew just how much he missed his family and his old life, but when it was light out he could convince himself that he might be able to dull the pain. That if he was with him maybe he could make things easier to bear. But on nights like this, when he could clearly see everything Domon kept from the rest of the world, from him... he wasn't so sure.

I love you, he thought as his fingers traced the side of Domon's face. He wondered if it was enough.

"Mm... Sion?" Domon was up, blinking at him blearily, voice thick with sleep. "Why're you starin'? Is there something on my face?"

"No, you're fine. I'm sorry."

To his complete surprise, Domon lifted his head up just enough to smile at him. "Thank you."

"Domon-san?"

"For staying. 'm pretty sure having me sprawled out on you all night isn't fun, but you still stay... thanks..." he trailed off, slipping back into sleep.

Sion glanced down, expecting to see the pain and the fear settle on Domon's features again. There was none of that this time, only peace.

He felt himself smile in return. For now at least, this was more than enough for them.